Tape time-recorder with diffeben



Aug. 24, 19 8- H. E. HOBBY 2,447,803

TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1945 INVENTOR. H/MOLD 1 /065) H. E. HOBBY 2,447,803

TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS V Filed Oct. 24, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Aug. 24, 1948.

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TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 24, 1945 5 SheetsSheet 3 /IVV[NTOR. Jf/QMME. H055) Aug. 24, 1948. HOBBY 2,447,803

TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTIATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 24, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 572 a Mar/x Aug. 24, 1948. HOBBY 2,447,803

TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFERENTI ATED RECORDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 24. 1945 lNVf/VTQR mm!) E. HOBBY Patented Aug. 24, 1948 TAPE TIME-RECORDER WITH DIFFEREN- TIATED RECORDS Harold E. Hobby,

Gardner, Mass, assignor to Simplex Time Recorder 00., Gardner, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 24, 1945, Serial No. 624,216

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine to be used in making time records on a paper tape or other continuous record surface, and in differentiating between two classes of records, such as load on and load off, or start and stop.

It is the general object of my invention to provide improved mechanism for producing and recording such differentiated records. To the accomplishment of this purpose, I provide an auxiliary printing device bearing two different symbols together with means for moving either symbol into operative position.

A more specific object is to provide simple actuating means so constructed and operated that a given load condition will be always and positively associated with a given symbol and so that the indication of condition will be entirely dependable and cannot get out of step. I also provide improved actuating means by which the symbols are shifted in definite relation to the printing of the time record.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism by which a circuit may be closed for a definite brief interval whenever a control circuit is either opened or closed.

In a modified form of my invention, I provide means by which a single recorder may be used to keep a record of the operation of each of a plurality of machines or other loads.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a time recorder embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, with parts of the casing omitted;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, with certain parts shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram;

Fig. 4a shows a switch appearing in Fig. 4 but in reverse position;

Fig. 5 is a partial front elevation showing a modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a partial side elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a circuit diagram for the modified construction; and

Fig. 8 is a portion of the tape record produced by the modified construction.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the time recorder in which my invention is shown comprises a casing C in which type wheels W are rotatably mounted on a shaft I0 (Fig. 3) which is intermittently advanced by a motor M, operating through a lever H, feed pawl 12 and ratchet wheel M (Fig. 1). The usual holding pawl 15 prevents backward rotation. The type wheels may register any desired data, such as the month, day, hour and minute. The minute wheel is usually fixed on the shaft [0 and any suitable reduction gearing may be provided to secure the desired relative rotation for the slower wheels.

A shelf or table l6 (Figs. 1 and 3) is mounted in fixed position on the frame F of the recorder, and a tape T (Fig. 1) is drawn upward through a notch or slot in the table 16 from a feed roll I! and is delivered at the left of the machine, after passing under the type wheels W and also under an ink ribbon 20 mounted on spools 2|.

A hammer 24 is mounted on an arm 25 which is fixed on a shaft 26 (Fig. 2) rotatably supported in the sides of the frame F. A second arm 21 is fixed to the shaft 26 and extends over the upper end of a plunger 28, vertically slidable in a hammer-actuating solenoid 36. When the solenoid is energized, the plunger 28 operates through the arm 21, shaft 26 and arm 25 to swing the hammer v24 upward to print a record from the type wheels W on the tape T.

After receiving the printed record, the tape T is drawn forward by a friction or feed roll 32 and a pressure roll 33. The roll 33 is mounted on a lever 34 pivoted at 35, and is yieldingly pressed against the tape T by a spring 36. It can be manually raised to free the tape.

The friction or feed roll 32 is mounted on a cross shaft 40 (Fig. 3) rotatable in fixed bearings and connected by beveled gears 41 and 42 (Fig. 2) to a ratchet wheel 43 loose on the hammer shaft 26 (Fig. 2). A feed pawl 44 (Fig. 3) is mounted on an arm 45 fixed to the shaft 26 and normally engages a fixed stop 46.

As the hammer 24 is swung upward to stamp a record (or clockwise in Fig. 3) the feed pawl 44 is drawn back one tooth, while the ratchet wheel 43 is held from backward rotation by a holding pawl 41. As the hammer is returned to its normal lower position by gravity, the feed pawl 44 advances the ratchet 43 one space and is locked against the stop 46 to prevent over-feeding. The tape T is thus advanced one space after the printing of each record and during the return or downward movement of the hammer.

The parts thus far described are all of usual commercial construction and are substantially as shown in the prior patent to Deane and Dell, No. 2,326,765.

As previously stated, my present invention relates more particularly to the provision of differentiated symbols to designate different classes of records. These symbols may indicate widely different items.

The symbols are formed on an auxiliary printing device shown as an arm 58 (Figs. 1 and 3) pivoted on a bushing 5-! which also provides a bearing for the front end of the type wheelshaft; 7

It. The arm 50 thus swings concentric withsthetype wheels, and is provided on its lower face with the symbols On and Offto indicatewhether the load is on or off.

The arm 56 is connected by a link 52 (Fig. 1) to an armature 53, pivoted at fidfandiassociatediwith a symbol magnet 55. A spring 58 normally holds the armature away from the magnet andthus holds the arm 50 in the off position as shown in Fig. 1'.

I have shOWn myinvention as connected for recording whether current is onor off in an electric oven X (Fig. 1), the current being supplied through a main switcht lfromsupply lines L and L BranchwiresfiQ and fit areconnected to operate a switch S; herein shown asa mercury tube 6 1 pivoted at 65 and-normally held in the position showninFig. 1 bye-spring 66. An armfil secured to the tube 64 forms the armature of a magnet 58 to-Which thewires 52' and, 63 are connected. Wires lfl and- H are connected at their upper ends to terminals l2-in-the tube-64a The other end of the wire Hi is connected-to an additional line wire L2, andthe other endofthe wire H is connected to a line wire-L3 through awire-13- and throughcertain solenoid and relay circuits to -bedescribed.

A single-pole double-break switch or relay 15 (Fig; 1:). is provided inthehammer circuit in the casing C and comprises normally closedcontacts 16 associated with the plunger 17 of a solenoid iii-which responds more slowly than the hammer solenoid 36. When the solenoid I9 is energized, the plunger-Tl rises and engages an upper plate 7-9. separating the contacts 76* and breaking thehammer circuit to prevent rebound and a second impression.

Reference to Fig.- 4'wi1l show that-the type wheel motor M is connected directly across the line wires L2and L3, that the relay solenoid'l's is connected'between the wire H and the line wire L3 and in parallel withthe motor M, and also that the hammer solenoid 3fl'isconnected in parallel withthe relayla'between'thewire TI and'the line wire L3 butthrough the contacts 16 controlled by the relaysolenoid coil 18. The symbolmagnet 55, connected to the wires 62 and 63, is in parallel withthe switch magnet 68.

Theioperation. of myv invention will. be clearly understood by reference to the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 4. When the load switch 6! is closed, current will be supplied through the wires 62 and litto the switchmagnet wand the symbol magnetEE. The switch Swill be moved to the dottedline position shownin Fig. Land the auxiliaryt printing arm 59 will be-swung to the left in Fig. 41toplace the On symbolin printing position. The arm 5ilwillremain in shifted position solong as-the switchfii is closed; The magnets fiifiaand 6.8 are wound for'such continuousservice.

When the tube 54 is thus moved'from the position-inFig. i to the position in Fig. 4a; the mercury. in. the tubeyas it: flows past the-terminals 72 momentarily completes the circuit through the wires 10 and l I. This energizes the hammer solenoid 30 to make a printing impression and also energizes the relay coil 78 to break the hammer circuit after a single impression. The parts are so designed that the solenoids 3B and 18 will have time. to operate as the; mercury flows past the terminals 72, after- Which further flOW'Of the mercury again breaks the circuit. In the meantime, the relay "i8 acts to separate the contacts 16 and break thehammer solenoid circuit.

Whenthe load switch BI is thereafter opened, the magnets 55 and T8 are deenergized and the symbol arm 5'0 and tube 64 return to the initial position shown, inFig. 4. During such return movement ofthe tubet l; the (mercury again flOWs past the; term-ina-lsfifl; and: the solenoids 3i) and 18 are again energized to make a further impression and to't'h'ereafter immediately break the circuit.

The solenoid F8 is provided to offset the relative- 1y-- slow operation ofthe mercury switch 64 in which the mercury is rather sluggish and maintains the circuit closed between the terminals of the wires "it and M (Fig. 4) for an appreciable interval. During this interval, the hammer 24" would beoperated-by the-solenoid 30 to strike a blow, after which. it would partially rebound and would be again operated by the'continuecl force of the solenoid, thus striking two or more repeated blows or, in other words, chattering andproducing an unsatisfactory record.

To prevent this occurrence, the relay or solenoidiil is designed to operate slightly slower than the hammer solenoid is!) but substantially faster than the-mercury switch 64. The timing of the solenoid i8 is such that the hammer solenoid circuit is broken at the point 76 immediately after a single'blow has been struck and before a second blow after reboundcan take place.

From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the position of thearm 50 always corresponds exactly to the position of'the main or load switch 86. It is impossible for the arm 59 to indicate Oh when the switch 6| is open orOfi-when the switch 6!" is closed. Consequently-an entirely dependable record of the condition of a distant load will be registered at all times by my improved recorder, together withthe exact time at which any change in condition takes place.

It will be understood that the circuit 'closing switch S-may be included Within the casing C, or may be associated with the oven X, or with any other device of which a record is to be kept. The linewires L2 and L3 may be the same as ,the wires L and L, if the same current'is used.

In Figs. 5 to 8; I have shown a modifiedconstruction in which provision is made for the use ofsix-different symbol arms, so that a single tape recorder may register the changes in condition of six different units, such" as the load on six different ovens or the starting and stopping ofsix diiierent machines each having a load switch 93.

For this purpose, I have mounted six symbol arms D (Fig. 6) on an aXis aligned'witli the axis of the-type wheelsW. I have also provided each arm 99 with an armature iii-associated with one of six symbol magnets illa to ill), mounted in a circumferential?series indicated in Fig. 5; Each of the symbol magnets is in a separate'load' circuit as shown in Fig. and is energized when the corresponding'load is onor when the correSp0nding machine is in operation.

Agvconvenientmethod of making the recordgis to provide the-armsellwith successive large letters A to F and also with successive small letters a to f, it being understood that the large letters indicate that the load is on or the machine in operation, and that the corresponding small letters indicate that the load is off or that the machine is stopped. Each time an impression is made by the hammer, the condition of every one of the six loads or machines will be registered, and a new record will be printed each time there is a change in condition in any load or machine. A sample of such a record is shown in Fig. 8.

I have thus provided very simple electrical controls by which the closing or opening of a load switch will cause a recorder to make a record of the time of such closing or opening, and also to clearly distinguish these records as either on or' off. The controls are also arranged so that the symbols cannot get out of step and so that an "On symbol on the record always indicates positively that the associated load was really on when so indicated.

The claims relate to any device or apparatus having contrasting conditions of being or operation, such as a machine which may be running or stopped, an oven which may be heated or not heated, or a door which may be open or closed. The term structure is used in the claims to include generally any device or apparatus having such contrasting conditions.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a time recorder, a printing device including a hammer and having two different symbols, an electrical load device, a main switch for the load device, electro-magnetic means operated upon the closing of the main switch for positioning said symbols to present a given symbol in printing position, means to present the other symbol in printing position upon the opening of the main switch, an electro-magnetic hammer-operating solenoid for actuating said hammer, a mercury tube switch for controlling said solenoid to cause a printing operation to take place, means connected in the main switch circuit for actuating said mercury tube switch immediately after said main switch is closed, and a relatively slowly operating electromagnetic relay in parallel with said hammer operating solenoid for opening the circuit of said solenoid as a hammer blow is struck.

2. In a time recorder, a printing device including a hammer and having two different symbols, an electrical load device, a main switch for the load device, electromagnetic means operated upon th closing 05 the main switch for positioning said symbols to present a given symbol in printing position, means to present the other symbol in printing position upon the opening of the main switch, an electromagnetic hammer-operating solenoid for actuating the hammer, a mercury tube switch for controlling said solenoid to cause a printing operation to take place, means connected in the main switch circuit for actuating said mercury tube switch immediately after said main switch is closed, means for reversely actuating said mercury tube switch immediately after said main switch is opened, and a relatively slowly operating electromagnetic relay in parallel with said hammer-operating solenoid for opening the circuit of said solenoid as a hammer blow is struck.

3. In a recorder having regular printing devices and impression mechanism, in combination, a plurality of auxiliary printing devices mounted on a common axis with the regular printing devices, each of said auxiliary devices having two different symbols and all of said regular and auxiliary printing devices being adapted to make simultaneous impressions in a common printing area, a plurality of separate devices each having two contrasting operative conditions to be recorded, separate means for shifting each auxiliary printing device about said common axis for placing a selected symbol in printing position, each separate means including a magnet and an operating circuit for said magnet, connections between each of said separate devices to be recorded and an associated auxiliary printing device, said connections including an operating circuit for energizing the included magnet upon a change in the operative condition of the corresponding separate device to be recorded, and electromagnetic means for automatically operating said impression mechanism to make a record from said regular printing devices and from all of said auxiliary printing devices in said common area every time that any one of said auxiliary printing devices is shifted to a different position.

HAROLD E. HOBBY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

